President Lee Jae-myung said today (October 13) regarding criticism from the conservative opposition over the heads of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Service attending a Cabinet meeting, "There may be differences of opinion, but it is natural under the Government Organization Act and the Constitution."

Presiding over a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on this day, President Lee remarked, "There seems to be criticism asking why the heads of agencies responsible for investigation and prosecution are attending the Cabinet meeting," adding, "I find it difficult to agree with that criticism."

President Lee first cited Articles 11 and 18 of the Government Organization Act, which govern the administrative supervisory powers of the president and the prime minister, stating, "State administration naturally falls under the jurisdiction of the president and the prime minister."

He continued, "We do not interfere in the handling of specific cases," explaining, "It is crucial to share the general direction and policies of state governance." He further emphasized, "While telling them what to do regarding individual cases is undesirable, investigative agencies are also carrying out duties entrusted to them for the people and the nation. Do not executive ministries also perform duties directly linked to the public's interests, such as licensing and patents? It is not right to exclude them from sharing (the direction of state affairs) simply because they carry out such work."

In the process, President Lee also noted, "Moreover, even ministers can exercise command," while adding, "However, that is not at all what we are going to do."

President Lee's remarks are interpreted as pointing out that while these agencies remain under presidential command and supervision, their neutrality is not compromised because the administration does not intervene in individual cases.
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)